The Bronx Crime Report is a new feature on the Norwood News’ Breaking Bronx blog that will be published weekly (usually on Mondays, but this week it’s a Tuesday). It will include the latest crime statistics for the 52nd Precinct — Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham-Bedford, and parts of Fordham, University Heights and Kingsbridge Heights — as well as crime updates, stories and features from this precinct and throughout the Bronx.

Sex Offender Sought in Rape at Norwood Laundromat

Police are on the hunt for a Level 3 sex offender who reportedly raped a worker at a Norwood laundromat.

Officer’s were called to the Broad Laundry, located at 3181 Webster Avenue, at just after 8 a.m., on Sunday, Feb. 17.

Police say the suspect forced a 27-year-old woman into a back room where he attacked her.

The victim was later transported to a local hospital and was expected to recover.

The following Tuesday detectives identified the suspect through a nearby surveillance camera. Police say the suspect is 44-year-old Danny Gonzalez, a career criminal with arrests dating back to 1990.

Police sources say Gonzalez is a level 3 sex offender who has served 13 years in prison for rape and other offenses. Gonzalez is described as a male Hispanic, who is 5′ 8” tall and weighs 200-pounds.

Police had no last known address on Gonzalez, who reportedly told one witness he was from Queens.

Anyone with any information on Gonzalez’ whereabouts are asked to call CrimeStopper’s at 1 (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.
–David Greene

Son Wanted In Mom’s Gruesome Death
A severed human leg protruding from a garbage bag was found early this morning near the Melrose/Woodstock area by a dog walker, prompting a call to police. After a search of the surrounding garbage heap near 660 East 158th St., police discovered what they believe are the sawed-up remains of Bronx mother Tanya Byrd, reports the Daily News. Police are questioning Byrd’s 23-year-old son who, a family member said, initially reported Byrd missing two days ago. Though one relative said the son acted violently at times, they didn’t believe he was capable of something this gruesome, “not in a million years.” NY1 reports that police found a saw inside Byrd’s apartment at 645 Westchester Ave., which smelled like bleach. Byrd had three sons, including a 7-year-old with down syndrome.

Father Charged After 5-Year-Old Shots Himself
More compelling evidence for gun control advocates: A Bronx father is being held on $100,000 bail after his 5-year-old son reportedly shot himself in the arm. Dad originally told police the boy had been shot during a robbery attempt, NY1 reports, but later changed his story.

Twisted Teens Charged For Instigating YouTube Kid Fight
Two Bronx teenagers were charged with child endangerment for egging on two younger girls, a 6-year-old and 7-year-old, to fight. The charges stem from a YouTube clip showing the two young girls fighting in Poe Park on Kingsbridge Road, which went viral. We won’t embed the clip here, but here’s a link with a severe warning: it’s disturbing. While the older girls excitedly prod the two to fight, one of the girls, to her credit, refuses to fight back and yells at the older girls, saying she doesn’t want to touch the other girl and admonishing them for thinking it’s funny. Smart girl. This is a sad, disturbing scene.

The Missing

Police Looking for Attempted Child Luring Suspect at PS 33

On Thursday, Feb. 21, at about 8 a.m., police say the suspect pictured here approached a 8-year-old girl as she was walking

up the steps of PS 33, 2424 Jerome Ave., and attempted to lure her into following him away from the school. The victim refused and ran into the P.S. 33. The suspect is described as a black male, between 20 and 30 years old, 5’10”, last seen wearing a black jacket, black shoes, brown hat and a hooded sweatshirt.Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

Suspect Wanted In Melrose Robbery

On Saturday, Feb. 16, at about 7:30 p.m. police say the suspect pictured entered the Bueno Borito Borato clothing store located at 680 Melrose Avenue pushed a 90-year-old man to the ground and removed his property. The suspect then removed an unknown amount of money from the cash register and fled the location. No injuries reported at this incident. Police describe the suspect as a dark skinned male Hispanic, 5’10” tall, 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket.

The Stats

52nd Precinct Crime Stats Thru Feb. 17, 2013 by

Find statistics for all every Bronx precinct here: 40th, 41st, 42nd , 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th.

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.